Final answer:
The best paraphrase for the given excerpt is that it is difficult and painful to give up power one has had for a long time, but that pain will heal in time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best paraphrase for the given excerpt is option D: It is difficult and painful to give up power one has had for a long time, but that pain will heal in time. The excerpt describes the emotional struggle of someone who has been in control for a long time but needs to let go. The analogy of the pain cutting like a knife and healing later emphasizes the difficulty of the process but also offers hope for a better future.